Steering Wheel - Nibble Felt On Rough Surfaces: Overview

Article No.
98-21-6

10/26/98

STEERING - STEERING "NIBBLE"/STEERING WHEEL
MOVEMENT FELT WHEN DRIVING OVER ROUGH
SURFACES

FORD:
1995-97 THUNDERBIRD

LINCOLN-MERCURY:
1993-98 MARK VIII
1995-97 COUGAR

This TSB article is being republished in its entirety to add Thunderbird and Cougar models.

ISSUE
A steering "nibble" may be felt in the steering wheel when driving on rough roads such as grooved pavement on some vehicles. A nibble may be defined as "slight rotational movement" in the steering wheel. This may be caused by lateral runout in the tire/wheel assembly.

ACTION
Install a revised yoke spring in the steering gear. The spring should increase the damping force and reduce the amount of tire/wheel inputs to the steering wheel. Refer to the following Service Procedure for details.

PART NUMBER PART NAME

F8LZ-3F516-AA Yoke Spring

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE

SUPERSEDES: 98-8-3

WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under The Provisions Of Bumper To Bumper Warranty Coverage

OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME

982106A Install Revised Yoke 1.0 Hr.
Spring (Mark VIII)

982106B Install Revised Yoke 1.6 Hrs.
Spring
(Thunderbird/Cougar 3.8L)

982106C Install Revised Yoke 1.4 Hrs.
Spring
(Thunderbird/Cougar 4.6L)

DEALER CODING
CONDITION
BASIC PART NO. CODE
3F516 O7

OASIS CODES: 303000, 306000